January 13th, Luke 3
SERMON: JANUARY 13, 2019
LUKE 3:15-17, 21-22
Today we celebrate the baptism of our Lord Jesus by John the Baptist in the waters of the Jordan River. In Jesus time, I am sure that the Jordan River was a larger, more pristine body of water than it is now. A few years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to re-acknowledge my Baptism on a trip to Israel and the River Jordan. Some brave souls went into the river to be baptized and immersed in the water, and I was quite thankful that I was staying on the bank and only having the sign of the cross made on my forehead with the river water. For you see, the water was dirty looking, and there were dozens of large river rats, about the size of our groundhog, who quickly swam out to people when they saw them, hoping to get a bite of food, and I am sure that John the Baptist and Jesus would not have recognized the large gift shop that you had to go through to gain entrance to the river site which is believed to be where Jesus’ baptism took place.
Once again, we encounter John the Baptist. Just a few weeks ago, we heard the story of Mary going to visit Elizabeth, and the baby, John the Baptist, jumping in her womb when Mary arrived because He recognized her as the mother of the Messiah. This week we turn our attention back to the grown man, the man who worn camel hair and ate locust in the wilderness. The man who many were wondering about, wondering if he might be the Messiah.
We have to admire John for his tenacity to stick to what he knew God had asked him to do. He knew what his ministry limits were, and he did those things and nothing else. When people came to him and asked, “Are you the Messiah?” He remained humble and showed no pride at their asking, but honestly answered with a resounding, NO.
In fact, John 3:30 tell us that “He, meaning Jesus, must become greater, and I must become less.” John wanted to get himself out of the picture and get Christ into the center. Just as Christ should be the center of our lives and all that we do. Christ should be at the center of every decision that we make.
John’s ministry was completely focused on pointing people to Christ. Telling them that Christ was coming. That is what our own ministries should be focused on too; for Christ is coming again, and we know not when. We, like John, need to have the tenacity to stick to the ministry that Jesus has given to each of us as His disciples. We need to not be afraid to reach out to others, sharing our own stories on how God has helped us, and showing Jesus love no matter what the situation.
Let’s listen to John’s exact words again to them all. “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Which begs the question of whether we are wheat or chaff. Wheat is something that is good and used to make bread, the bread of life. Chaff, or the husk of wheat, on the other hand is unusable, and only good to be burned up. John is clear that it is Christ, the man who holds the winnowing fork, who will decide who is which, wheat or chaff. It is Christ, who will make the final judgment at His second coming.
Interestingly, I looked up what a winnowing fork looked like. Traditionally, they have ten tines. Many scholars believe the image of the winnowing fork was used to represent the ten commandments that God has given for us all to obey. The tines, or the commandments, are used to sift out the chaff, because our true nature is revealed in how we live our lives according to God’s commandments. Children of God lead useful and production lives, and follow as true disciples of Christ; while those who turn away from God and His commandments or only give Him lip service, will be separated out as chaff and ultimately burned in the fire.
We are reminded of the story of Jesus separating the goats from the sheep. The sheep were sent to Jesus’ right side, and the goats were sent to the left, to be thrown into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the Devil and unbelievers.
By nature, we are all chaff. No matter how we try not to sin, it is not possible to go through a day without sinning. As children of God, because of our love for God we try to obey His commands, and to do all the good we can for our fellow man. But it is by grace alone, that we are saved and don’t slip through the tines of the fork. Because of God’s great love for us, He sent Jesus to earth to show us the way, to atone for our sins, and all we have to do is believe and follow.
Perhaps you are wondering why Jesus who was blameless and did not sin, was baptized. When we are baptized, we are washed clean and given a fresh start with the Holy Spirit to guide us. So, why did Jesus have John baptize him, for John’s baptism was for the repentance of sin? By being baptized, Jesus identified Himself with us. The sinless one identifies Himself with the sinners. Thus, He actively fulfills the law of God and receives God’s grace on behalf of all sinners and therefore us. Through His baptism, where He is anointed, that is set a part, as the Lamb of God, God reveals Him who will baptize His own with the Holy Spirit. As we look at Jesus, who was baptized for us, we remember our own baptisms.
Let us leave here this morning, remembering what our own baptism means in terms of how we live our lives. Let us recommit ourselves to the mission that God has given us as His disciples. Let us listen for the small voice of the Holy Spirit who resides in us, and strive to be worthy of God’s great love and grace. For we are saved by Grace alone. May we each experience the joy of knowing that we have been claimed by God!
Amen